The January Series in more locations!

For over twenty years, The January Series has been the leading lecture/cultural arts series in the country. The diversity of presenters and topics has changed as the world of ideas has changed.  Some of this year's speakers include Richard Norton Smith, presidential historian; Christine Brennan, sports columnist; and John Witte, Jr., author and John Calvin expert.  The award- winning presentations take place every weekday on our campus from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. from January 7 through 27 and it is also available at remote Web cast sites across the country and Canada, as well as online.  Take a look at the January Series site for the complete lineup of speakers, find out where the 22 remote sites are that will be receiving the live video feed, visit the archives of past speakers and listen to the daily live audio feeds.

Order a Prism now

Not sure what to get your college student for Christmas?  What better gift is there than a 2008-2009 Prism yearbook, jam-packed with a whole year of memories of Calvin? College students will love seeing a yearbook filled with short writings and photographs of themselves, friends, extracurricular activities, sports, their dorms or apartments, and on-campus events. The 2008-2009 PRISM ($10) is a square book in full-color with 180+ pages. You can read more about the history of The Prism in an article that was in the Spring Spark magazine, the magazine for alumni and friends of Calvin.

IMPORTANT:  You can order the book through the Campus Store now and it will be available for pick-up at the Campus Store this fall 2009, or for an additional $5 you can have your book shipped to your home.  Please feel free to contact prism@calvin.edu with any questions. 

The Calvin/Hope Rivalry: Join the fun at one of 40+ satellite site

The classic Calvin/Hope men's basketball rivalry will resume on Saturday, January 17, at 3 p.m. EST. Calvin and Hope parents, family, and alumni are invited to gather at one of more than 40 sites across North America to participate in this Calvin-Hope tradition via live broadcast. To locate the event closest to you, visit the rivalry site.  Are you unable to find a Rivalry location nearby? Call the alumni office (616-526-6142 ) to see about making arrangements for 2010.  It's easy and fun!

The Calvin-Hope rivalry has gained national attention in recent years and was ranked one of the country's fiercest rivalries behind Duke/North Carolina, Connecticut/Tennessee (women's) and Louisville/Kentucky. The first game between the two schools was played during the 1920-21 season. Since then, Hope and Calvin have played 169 times; Calvin has won 83 games and Hope has won 86.  Check out the Calvin/Hope site to read more about the rivalry and see photos from past gatherings around the country.

The Calvin Parent Fund: Helping every student, every day

Even though a Calvin education is a significant financial commitment for most Calvin parents, many also understand that tuition alone does not cover the cost of a Calvin education and therefore choose to make an annual gift to the Calvin Parent Fund. Without the generous support from parents and donors each year, each Calvin student's tuition would be almost $800 more per year. Together we are furthering God’s work of renewal through the preparation of your sons and daughters for lives of service in God’s Kingdom. We invite and encourage you to consider a year-end gift to the Calvin Parent Fund.

Michigan Friends: Did you know that a Michigan couple, filing a joint state income tax return, can claim up to half of their gift to a Michigan college as a state income tax credit (credit not to exceed $200)? In other words, a Michigan couple who make a gift of $400 to Calvin College will receive a $200 state income tax credit, as well as receive gift benefits on their federal return should they choose to itemize gifts.

Calvin's "Messiah" on the radio

One of the country's longest-running performances of Handel's Messiah can be heard around the country ---maybe on a station in your area---later this month. The Calvin Oratorio Society presented Handel's "Messiah" on December 5 and 6, under the baton of Calvin music professor Joel Navarro and featuring four outstanding soloists: Maria Jette, soprano; Kristin Brouwer, mezzo-soprano; Bryon Grohman, tenor; Keith Brautigam, bass.  The radio broadcast schedule is available on the Oratorio's site.  The Oratorio Society will be performing Bach's "Cantata 67: Hold in Remembrance, Jesus Christ," Handel's "Dixit Dominus," and Faure's "Requiem" this spring.

Financial aid information and reminder

With January 1 just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about financial aid for the upcoming academic year.  Parents play a key role in student's education so the scholarship and financial aid office wants to keep you informed of this process.  For information about applying for financial aid, see this site for current students where you'll find all the forms and deadlines to assist your student.  Questions regarding this application process can be directed to the scholarships and financial aid office (800-688-0122, finaid@calvin.edu).

Also, high school juniors and seniors and parents are invited to come to free Financial Aid Seminars 2009 on programs available to help pay for college. Students from any high school and their parents are welcome at these seminars held at various high schools in Michigan and Illinois.

Wishing for you and your family a most blessed Christmas

As we sign off with Calvin-Parents for this year, we at Calvin College pray that you and your family will celebrate a most blessed Christmas and new year during the days and weeks ahead!  Look for the next issue of Calvin-Parents on Tuesday, January 6. Once again, here are some important dates to note in conjunction with the Christmas break and the January Interim:
 

• Friday, December 26: Grade reports for fall semester due to Registrar
• Thursday, December 25 - Thursday, January 1: College offices, campus closed
• Tuesday, January 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due
• Friday, January 2: College offices re-open at 8:00 am
• Monday, January 5: Tuition, room & board payment due
• Tuesday, January 6: Residence halls open at 10:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, January 7: Interim begins at 8:00 am

Events for alumni and friends

Bookmark the alumni events calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, to which you are warmly invited, as a parent, alumni and/or friend of the college.  More information is found there for each of the following events:

Dec. 28-30: Women's Basketball team in Bradenton/Daytona Beach, Florida
Jan. 16: Alumni Choir's Winter Concert in Kalamazoo
Jan. 17: Alumni Choir's Winter Concert on campus
Jan. 17: The Rivalry - Calvin-Hope men's basketball broadcast
Jan. 20: MBA@Calvin business event

Check the Parent Calendar for important dates

Bookmark the parent calendar to keep track of important dates throughout the year, including:

• Jan. 1: Miscellaneous charges payment due
• Jan. 5: Tuition, room & board payment due
• Jan. 7: Interim begins, 8:00 a.m.
• Jan. 19: Last day to drop Interim courses and change Interim courses from credit to audit
• Jan 27: Interim ends, 5:00 p.m.